Savannah State University (SSU) is among eight universities nationwide selected to receive grants from Second Nature to accelerate campus climate action. SSU received a $4,000 grant to create a Clean Energy Policy Simulation Lab.
The Lab will provide students in the Master of Public Administration, Marine Science, and other interested undergraduate students with hands-on experience analyzing energy and climate policies using real-world datasets and interactive tools. Integrated into existing courses, the Lab will build students’ analytical and policy skills while delivering actionable insights on clean energy and resilience to the community. The funds will also support scholarships for two students.
Dr. Aerang Nam, SSU assistant professor of Public Administration, is the principal investigator on the grant.
“This Clean Energy Policy Simulation Lab will prepare our students to become the next generation of policy leaders by bridging data, decision-making, and real-world impact to advance climate resilience in our coastal community, Nam said.”
The catalyst grants are designed to serve as the spark that jumpstarts or strengthens campus climate action projects that reduce emissions and build resilience.
“Through our annual Catalyst Grants initiative, we’re able to empower colleges and universities to launch or scale projects that create meaningful, lasting climate impact,” said Tim Carter, President of Second Nature. “This year’s recipients represent a diverse group of institutions tackling the urgent need to decarbonize, increase resilience, and advance equity within their communities. Their creativity and commitment continue to drive higher education’s leadership in addressing the climate crisis.”
The other institutions that received grants include California State University – Northridge, John Jay College – CUNY, Mesa Community College, SUNY Cortland, Texas Southern University, University of North Carolina – Pembroke, and Xavier University of Louisiana.
About Second Nature: Second Nature is committed to accelerating climate action in, and through, higher education. By mobilizing a diverse array of higher education institutions to act on bold climate commitments, Second Nature scales campus climate initiatives and creates innovative climate solutions. Learn more at secondnature.org.
